China sends a size too small top - what can you do?

I was sent a pretty lace bolero in red lace from China. It cost me only £2.70. But was at least two sizes too small. Could not go over other clothes. Would not look neat on arms, and too tight across the back. In danger of splitting it.

What to do? Unpick the seams. Which seams?

Turn it inside out to expose and check the seams. Not enough to let out more than a fraction. But no choice. Lay it down against a garment which I know fits ok.

Now what? Insert a ribbon. How to get one to match? Take the bolero into a big store such as John Lewis. Last time I looked, ribbon which was wide, sold on a roll, cost about £5, as much as the garment.

Could I wear the bolero split, as if it's meant to be like that? Maybe.

Or with slashed arms, like slashed jeans? No, because the lace might fray.

What a pity they can't send me a piece of matching ribbon. Wait a minute - the item only cost £2.50. It's cheaper to buy a second garment and cut strips out of it to make matching ribbon. I could make a contrast with black lace. But I'll want to keep that, and not use it to  expand the red one.

Some people order two sizes and send one back. (If the seller accepts returns.) Not worth the trouble. One size fits all. Or fits nobody. I realised this would be a problem before I bought it. But now I plan to buy another - quickly - before they change styles, go out of business, change the fabric.

Angela Lansbury, author of How To Get Out Of The Mess You're In.

Xmas cards: how to recycle them into mini cards and gift tags

For years I have cut Xmas cards into two, saving the picture from the front in my box of all occasions cards. I have kept the other half of the cards in the address book to check the spelling of names, and the spouses and children and parents - and to remind me who must receive cards from me.

This week I was delighted to receive a hand written note from somebody who sent me a to they had sold me on eBay. The tiny card had such a pretty picture, colourful and curly, with little gold stars, that I kept it on the kitchen table which doubles as my desk. The tiny card did not take up much room and it brightened my day.

It was not until I placed it on a coloured surface that I noticed the edge on one side was white and slightly frayed, showing that it had been torn from a larger picture. I was even more delighted and intrigued by this discovery, and the possibilities it suggested.

Step One: Card one
A Christmas card, Jewish New Year card, seasonal card, birthday card, anniversary or wedding card can be cut twice. Make sure your message goes over only one side of the inside.

Step Two: Card two
The first time you cut, you can cut it in half, or even cut it into strips. Then fold it to make a mini-card for messages with gifts or, as in the one I received, with items sold to customers, wishing them well, hoping they enjoy using or wearing the item they have bought, and asking for positive feedback.

Step Three: Gift tag
If you are careful to write on only one side, and only one half, you can re-use your mini card yet again by cutting it in half.

Why go to all this work, if you are working or on holiday and have the cash to splash? I have tried to buy a card and matching envelope and gift tags on holiday or working in Singapore. I'd have suddenly run out of gift cards.

You are invited to a wedding. You brought the present back in your home country but did not wrap it because security will ask you to unwrap it. At the last minute you are going to the party, taking a bottle, but the maid or caterer at the door will take the bottle and your host will never know you bothered to bring a gift, let alone a nice one, with a goodwill message, so you need a gift tag.

Punching Holes
It's easy to make neat holes by saving tags which already have holes.

What if you need to make a hole. Punching a hole with a hole puncher, and making a gift tag. If you are in an office you will have a hole punch. If you are in a hotel, go to reception or the office and ask to borrow one. Or ask if they will punch a hole for you.

Hole punchers can be bought cheaply on line or from cheap shops. Failing all else, make a hole with a needle or nail scissors and plait thread to attach the gift tag.

Neat Edges
Scissors make a neater edge than tearing. A larger pair is more likely to make a straight line. Buy the largest scissors you can find. Wallpaper scissors have long blades.
Better still, invest in a guillotine. I would not buy the ones with a blade which drops. Too dangerous for my liking. I like the sliding sort. Look for them reduced at sale time. No idea what you want for Xmas? Craft items or a sliding paper cutter 'guillotine'.

Recycling Ribbons
Do you need a piece of fancy ribbon for a gift tag? Save from other gifts and keep in a re-used jam jar labelled ribbons.

Buy a roll of cheap ribbon in the post-Xmas sale. Buy knitting wool cheaply from a charity shop.

Menu ribbons and tassels

Save fancy gold ribbons with tassels from special occasion menus. You will see lots of leftovers at weddings and other special events.

I always ask in hotel whether they will be re-using the ribbons or throwing them away. I would not take supplies which the hotel intends to re-use. But if the items are being thrown away, and you reveal that you are keen to keep ribbons, often the staff will obliging search out more of the same, or similar ones in other colours, so you off with not just one but two or more.

Cut old table cloths or clothes into strips of ribbon. Save the plaited handles of carrier bags. I've seen broken bags discarded in waste bins bins and retrieved lovely ribbons from the handles.


Wrapping Paper
Wrapping paper which would otherwise be thrown in a bin can be recycled. Cut into neat oblongs. Fold around the large rolls of wrapping paper, and secure small pieces with a rubber band - or ribbon!

You can fold paper to make matching or colourful envelopes for small or large cards.

A coloured envelope can be cut to make gift tags.

Wishing you a creative and happy holiday and wonderful weekends and enjoyable evenings and delightful days.

Agnela Lansbury
Author of How To Get Out of The Mess You're In.